ISL 2024-25: All six foreigners of NorthEast United FC

NorthEast United have roped in Guillermo Fernández who scored in the Durand Cup final.

The 2024-25 Indian Football season is up and running with the end of the latest edition of the Durand Cup where NorthEast United pulled off the unthinkable and won their first piece of silverware.

Next up, the limelight shifts to the Indian Super League (ISL) season. The 2024-25 season will mark the eleventh edition of the Indian top flight and will also witness the inclusion of Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting who’ve become the second side to gain promotion into the ISL.

NorthEast United FC were one of the talking points last season because of what they brought to the table. The Highlanders exceeded expectations and shocked everyone with their miraculous performances under head coach Juan Pedro Benali. As we move ahead into the 2024-25 season, NorthEast United will hope to build upon their heroics from the season gone by and go the distance this year.

Juan Pedro Benali has not changed much in his well-settled squad from the previous edition. Just two new faces have been added to the Highlanders’ foreign contingent to fill in for the departures of Romain Philippoteaux and Tomi Juric. Let us take a look at NorthEast United’s overseas unit for the upcoming season which consists of three Spaniards and Moroccans each.

Michel Zobaco

The Spaniard will continue his stint with the Highlanders after a successful first season. Zobaco became the first captain to lead NorthEast United to a title when he fueled the Highlanders to a Durand Cup triumph over Mohun Bagan in the final.

He is an ever-present figure at the back and has established himself as one of the greatest players to captain the Highlanders.

Hamza Regragui

Hamza Regragui is among the three Moroccans available at Juan Pedro Benali’s disposal. The former Moroccan international arrived at NorthEast United last winter and has become a core part of their group.

The 27-year-old is known for his physique and versatility to operate both as a center-back and a defensive midfielder. Regragui has played 15 games so far for the Highlanders and has an assist to his name.

Mohammed Ali Bemammer

Mohammed Ali Bemammer was the first Moroccan to arrive at NorthEast United last season. The defensive midfielder has played his role to perfection in the rebuilding process and has also become a fan favorite in Guwahati.

Bemammer is extremely dedicated to the Highlanders and has shown time and again what he can do for the club. In 32 games so far, Bemammer has five goal contributions under his belt.

Nestor Albiach

The Spanish attacking midfielder has revolutionized NorthEast United’s attacking big time. He is an all-round package and brings so much more than just attacking gameplay to the table.

Nestor usually operates as an attacking midfielder but has also played as a center-forward as and when required. He is NorthEast United’s fourth-record goalscorer with nine goals in 32 games to his name.

Guillermo Fernández

Guillermo’s arrival has been nothing short of a blessing for the Highlanders. The Spanish forward was the missing piece of the puzzle for Juan Pedro Benali’s side.

He became their messiah in the Durand Cup final by scoring an absolute world-class goal to script a comeback to remember in the second half. Fernandez has scored five goals and has provided two assists in just six games for the Highlanders so far.

🗣️ | Alaeddine: "He (Guillermo Fernández) is a great player. If he and I score like this for NorthEast United FC, there is no problem." [@IndSuperLeague]#NEUFC ⚫⚪🔴 pic.twitter.com/0Pt94ZVAqz

— Highlanderz Hub (@HighlanderzHub) September 2, 2024

Alaeddine Ajaraie

Alaeddine will surely be one of the players to watch out for in ISL 2024-25. The Moroccan forward produced the goods for his side in the Durand Cup final and helped them win their first trophy.

Ajaraie scored the first goal and then assisted the equalizer before converting a penalty during the shootout. His pace coupled with his creativity makes him an important asset for Benali and his company.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.